Planting potatoes using the Mittlider method: growing techniques, photos

Growing potatoes using the Mittlider method yields excellent results if the methodology is strictly followed. Gardeners planting potatoes this way reap a bountiful harvest, with high-quality tubers and excellent fruit that can be used for winter food, as well as excellent planting material.

Many gardeners have their own tricks and secrets that help them increase their harvest and grow healthy fruit. But planting potatoes using the Mittlider method remains a common and effective "weapon."

Description and essence of the Mittlider potato planting method

The Mittlider method of growing potatoes emphasizes vertical growth, low but focused irrigation, and highly nutritious fertilizers. The idea was to use a hydroponic nutrient delivery system that delivers beneficial micronutrients to the plant roots. The author of the method believed this to be an effective way to nourish the plant.

He combined this with a targeted watering program, which uses less water but directs it directly to the plant roots for rapid absorption. Another recommendation was the use of a growing box. A growing box is essentially a raised bed for the plant, made from regular soil. A wooden box can also be used. The substrate used for filling is a mixture of one-third sand and two-thirds sawdust.

Advantages of the method

It can be used on any surface—rocky, hilly, alkaline, or clay—by creating a "special soil." Planting potatoes using the Mittlider method is simple, and there are many videos online that help gardeners learn how to use this method correctly.

1. It is useful at any time of the year and in any climate.
2. Doesn't take up much space.
3. It makes it easy to care for and harvest crops.
4. Easy to use in a greenhouse and protect crops from adverse weather conditions.
5. Simply transform an existing plot. This method uses 40 percent less water than traditional landscaping. But the main advantage is the exceptional yields.

Advantages of narrow beds

Close spacing between crops allows for more plants to be planted in a smaller area. At the same time, vertical cultivation maximizes light availability. This makes growing potatoes possible for all gardeners, regardless of their experience. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of soil depletion when it comes to nutrients, eliminating the need for crop rotation.

Potato growing techniques

A key feature of Dr. Mittlider's system is the idea that crops can be grown in any soil with the proper nutrients, but in a small space. He believed that a small garden bed would be sufficient to meet a person's needs for healthy fruit production. The substrate can contain several different components:

• 50-75% sawdust;
• peat moss with the addition of 50-25% sand;
• perlite or polystyrene foam.

Sawdust retains moisture well. Seeds are carefully sown, and gardening aids are used to increase space and encourage growth. Pruning becomes crucial for vertical gardening, encouraging shoots to curl upward.

Features of the Mittlider method

The key to planting potatoes using the Mittlider method is combining the best of both soil and hydroponic methods. All the plant needs is sufficient nutrients, which it obtains from weekly fertilizing, not from the growing medium.

The substrate in which the plants are grown should be lightweight, slightly dense, with good water retention and excellent drainage. Nutrients are supplied by a plant food mix, which should be added at the beginning of planting and then weekly throughout the growth cycle.

Making beds for planting potatoes

1. The first thing to do is mark out the beds, taking into account the edges. The optimal width is 30 cm. There is no limit on the length. Each gardener decides for themselves how long their bed will be.
2. The marked bed is filled with high-fertility soil. The layer height should be 40 to 55 cm.
3. The soil is raked so that sides and depressions can be formed.
4. Only a narrow strip of the pit, which is leveled beforehand, needs to be dug and processed.
5. Potatoes should be planted in two rows. A bed made of wooden boxes is more suitable for areas prone to frequent flooding or where the soil doesn't produce good crops.

Selection and processing of planting material

Growing potatoes, like other crops, using the famous Mittlider method is well described in various instructional videos. However, it's important for gardeners to know how to select and prepare planting material. This method requires using pre-germinated material. It's left in sawdust soaked in copper sulfate and diluted in water.

The tubers should be treated with fungicides. Potassium permanganate, diluted in water, can be used as an alternative. Wood ash, which effectively protects potatoes from pests and diseases by creating a protective layer around the tubers, is also suitable.

The depth of each hole should be 10 to 12 cm. Potatoes can be planted in a staggered pattern. The sprouts should point upward. Place them as carefully as possible, trying not to damage the sprouts. If desired, the holes can be treated with vermicompost or traditional compost.

Planting tubers under straw

Since the author of the system experimented with his method in a region with favorable climate conditions for potatoes (sufficient light and suitable temperatures), Russian gardeners had to come up with a way to protect the plants. Many decided that planting potatoes strictly according to Dr. Mittlider's method would be effective in Russia if they were planted with straw mulch.

This method requires that the beds be covered with straw after planting, which retains soil moisture and warmth. This ensures optimal conditions for tuber growth and the development of a strong root system. Protected beds are less likely to cause weeds, and nutrients are naturally added to the soil.

What variety of potato is suitable?

Planting potatoes and many other crops according to the Mittlider method is well demonstrated in a video available online. However, gardeners were curious to know which varieties respond best to this growing method. It's safe to say that all varieties grow well according to the Mittlider method. It's just important to consider the climate conditions of your specific region.

Care instructions

1. Since potatoes require warmth, mulching is an important part of their care. As mentioned above, straw is an effective mulch. However, it's not the only mulch option. Humus or hay can be used. Shredded bark or well-rotted compost is also effective. This will keep the roots warm.
2. A planted meter of bed requires two buckets of water. Potatoes should be watered every other day. This ensures that the fertilizers applied dissolve more quickly, and therefore are absorbed by the roots more quickly.
3. One of the most important components of the Mittlider system is nutrient application. Mittlider found that plants require 16 elements to achieve maximum growth. Of these, three are found in the air: oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. The rest must be added to the soil. Plants should be fed with nutrients weekly, unlike traditional methods, which require feeding several times during the plant's development period. Many organic plant foods contain a balance of the micronutrients needed by potatoes, which can be added to ready-made mixes. Soil tests can help determine if the soil is deficient in one or more of these elements. Some gardeners claim that complex micronutrient products are not organic because they contain synthetic chemicals to imitate certain nutrients. However, choosing a high-quality, proven product can only benefit your crop.

Errors when using this method

Some people ignore the specifics of watering using the Mittlider system. As a result, the fertilizer's nutrients won't fully dissolve. Gardeners often fail to consider soil characteristics when choosing fertilizer. Using dolmite flour in alkaline soil can worsen the soil's condition, which will impact yields.

Leveling the holes where the tubers will be planted is also crucial. If the soil isn't level, water will pool in certain areas during watering, making it difficult to achieve uniform and proper watering.

Reviews

Oleg:

"It wasn't until my second year using the Mittlider system that I was able to achieve good results. You have to follow all the rules first to avoid being disappointed with the results."

Inna:

"The soil on our property is poor, but my husband and I always wanted to grow potatoes. Only the Mittlider method helped."

Daniel:

"The main thing is to get the hang of choosing the right fertilizer to ensure the plant gets everything it needs. By adhering to all the system's requirements, you can significantly maximize your yield and harvest a lot of potatoes even from a small plot."

Evgeniya:

"I made several adjustments to the method, taking into account the specifics of my site. I'm completely satisfied with the result."